Research scientist Zeng Shuo died on his 34th birthday chasing a laptop thief at a California Starbucks
- Two men charged with murder and other felonies after China-born research scientist dies from head injuries
A Kansas State University graduate who was working in the California tech industry was killed on New Year’s Eve while chasing a thief who had stolen his laptop at a Starbucks in Oakland.
Zeng Shuo, who was from China, graduated from the university in 2015. The day he died, he had been planning to celebrate his 34th birthday and the coming of the new year with a group of friends.
Oakland police on Thursday arrested two men in connection with the theft and Zeng’s death. On Friday, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged Byron Reed, 22, and Javon Lee, 21, with second degree robbery. Reed was also charged with special circumstance murder, and Lee was charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Investigators are still determining if additional suspects were involved.
Zeng frequently went to the Starbucks to work on his laptop, a colleague told Associated Press.
Witnesses told police that about 11:30am, a man approached Zeng, snatched his laptop and ran to a waiting vehicle. Zeng chased after the thief. The car drove off as Zeng grabbed the door handle, causing him to slam his head into a parked car.